Quitting Smoking Makes your Dentist Smile
People try to quit smoking for many different reasons. Some want to avoid cancer or other health problems and some just want to insure they will live longer. According to BBC News, dentists across Europe have given the public one more reason to quit smoking.
Along with the obvious health risks with smoking such as lung cancer and heart disease, this new study shows an increase in oral cancers, diminished ability of taste buds and rejection of certain dental procedures. Smoking can also cause the gums to recede, leaving the roots of the tooth exposed.
Implants work in a similar way to dentures. They are used in people who have lost individual teeth, create a bridge and to create support and a better fit for older dentures. Implants work by functioning as the “root” of the tooth because they are made from titanium and are implanted in the jaw. They are coated with a substance called hydroxyapatite which acts as the same chemical makeup of our own bones which makes implants more effective than dentures.
Not everyone is a candidate for implants however. A prime candidate requires good healing and blood flow to insure the gum tissue heals properly without infection or rejection of the implant. Implant rejection happens more commonly in smokers. Smoking as well as other diseases such as diabetes, effect how the body heals and how the blood flows, thus resulting in a likely rejection.
Implants were not the only dental procedure affected by smoking, teeth removals and fillings also showed problems due to smoking. Smoking can make the antibiotics and creams much less effective before and during dental procedures.
Bad breath and teeth discoloration are fairly minor problems resulting from smoking, however these minor problems can turn more serious quickly. According to a study done by the American Dental Association, 32% of smokers needed to have a filling replaced, 10.1% needed a tooth extraction and 22.5% needed a major dental cleaning because of periodontal disease (a result of impaired blood flow). Smoking can also be a factor in the loss of jaw bone, gum disease leading to tooth loss, and increased plaque and tartar build up. The American Dental Association, also reported that 97.5% of patients who quite using tobacco, showed an almost complete reduction of mouth lesions (leukoplakia potentially cancerous mouth lesions) in just six weeks of quitting.
Tobacco secession is the only way to combat not only dental problems but other health problems. Quitting is never easy and a challenge every smoker fears, however almost every smoker fears cancer too and quitting won’t kill, but cancer will.
There are many ways available to quit smoking. Some patients choose to try prescription treatments such as Zyban or Wellbutrin which can help curb cravings. Others try over the counter treatments such as the nicotine patch or gum. Other nontraditional treatments include hypnosis, acupuncture and herbal remedies. Those who are interesting in quitting should speak with their dentist of physician to develop a plan and find out what works best for the patient. Since each person is different, each individual plan will be different. Some people use a combination of treatments to quit. It is important to remember quitting is never easy but the health risks are just too high to not quit now.
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